Lack of effect of prednisone administration on bleeding time and platelet function of normal subjects

The effect of 80 mg prednisone given orally for 2 d on normal and post-aspirin bleeding times and platelet function has been studied in a randomized, multiple cross-over, double-blind controlled trial in 12 normal volunteers. Mean template bleeding times were 6.6 min (placebo/placebo), 5.9 min (prednisone/placebo), 10.0 min (placebo/aspirin) and 8.7 min (prednisone/aspirin). The shortening after prednisone administration was not statistically significant. Prednisone had no effect on platelet glass bead retention nor on platelet aggregation by collagen, adrenalin and adenosine diphosphate. Thus conventional clinical doses of prednisone did not impair platelet function and did not enhance primary haemostatis in normal subjects as measured by the bleeding time.